Phoenix MPUG Chapter Presents: PMI Scheduling Professional PMI-SP Credential Information, FAQ’s and Answers! Mary Hershner, PMP hershner1@cox.net 602-300-7018

Ground Rules Please …. Mute your PC Microphone Mute your telephone handset unless your asking a question And Thanks for your cooperation in making this presentation a success….

Agenda PMI-SP Exam Credentials Eligibility to take the exam Application Process PMI-SP Exam Format Preparing for the Exam Pass/Fail The Exam, Certification Package Maintaining your Credentials Exam Testimonial Questions?

Why pursue the PMI-SP credential? Project scheduling professionals should be recognized for their knowledge, skills and experience in this specialized area of project scheduling. Scheduling is a tool every project manager uses in one form or another. Most Enterprise Project Management Tools demand a PM’s proficiency in scheduling and employers are looking for the expertise!

PMI-SP Credential The PMI-Scheduling Professional Certification is a new credential for those who practice project management in the specialty area of scheduling. The certification provides the basis for the credentialing examination for individuals who manage project scheduling. The exam is NOT tool specific and is based on the participants knowledge of scheduling, it’s terminology and relationship to the PMBOK (third edition).

PMI-SP Credential The PMI-SP Credential is offered through the Project Management Institute You do not need to be a PMI Member to apply for the credential There is no pre-requisite needed to take the exam, the PMI-SP is a stand-alone credential offered as part of PMI’s family of credentials Candidates must be approved through PMI prior to taking the exam The cost for PMI Members to earn the credential is $520.00. The cost to non-members is $670.00 .

Eligibility Requirements Three to five years of project scheduling experience With a bachelor’s degree or global equivalent have: + 30 contact hours of formal education (must be in project scheduling) + Within the past five years, a minimum of 3,500 hours of experience in project scheduling OR With a high school diploma or global equivalent have: + 40 contact hours of formal education (must be in project scheduling) +Within the past five years, 5,000 hours of experience in project scheduling

Application Process For detailed information Download PMI Scheduling Professional (PMI–SP)SM Credential Handbook (35 pages) http://www.pmi.org/PDF/PMI-SP_Handbook.pdf Major Points Covered How to Apply Online PMI-SP Eligibility Requirements & Verification PMI-SP Examination Information & Blueprint PMI-SP Credential Fees & Refund Policy PMI-SP Credential Maintenance

Application Process

Application Process You can also use the online certification system to: Apply and submit payment to take or retake any PMI examination and/or evaluation View your submitted credential application View your examination eligibility status Download PMI audit forms and/or examination score reports Access your certification record and update your contact information View your listing on the Credential Registry Submit payment for credential renewal

Application process Link to Submittal Process https://www.pmi.org/authentication/default.aspx?r=www.pmi.org/certapp/Default.aspx&s=true

Application process https://securereg3.prometric.com/Welcome.aspx?Culture=en-US

PMI-SP Exam Format The Exam is comprised of 170 multiple-choice questions. 20 are considered pretest questions. Pretest questions do not affect the score and are used in examinations as an effective and legitimate way to test the validity of future examination questions. All questions are randomly placed throughout the examination. No. of Scored Questions 150 No. of Pretest (Unscored) Questions 20 Total Examination Questions 170 Note: No pass or fail % has been determined during the pilot phase! Computer-based testing (CBT) is the standard method of administration for PMI examinations.

PMI-SP Exam Format The allotted time to complete the computer-based examination is four hours. The examination is preceded by a tutorial and followed by a survey, both of which are optional and both of which can take up to 15 minutes to complete. The time used to complete the tutorial and survey is not included in the examination time of four hours. It may take some credential candidates less than the allotted time to complete the examination.

PMI-SP Exam Format The PMI-SP examination is developed based on the examination blueprint contained in the PMI–Scheduling Professional Examination Specification. The examination blueprint details the percentage of questions contained in each project scheduling domain. The following represents the percentage of questions in each domain that are included in the examination.

Preparing for the Exam To prepare for the examination, PMI suggests review of the: PMI-SP Handbook PMI-SP Examination Specification Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK(R) Guide) – Third Edition All are available on the PMI Global Website…..

Preparing for the Exam If you have not completed a course containing Project Scheduling concepts, PMI recommends you do so. Educational programs are offered through a variety of providers including: PMI component organizations (chapters, SIGs, colleges) MPUG…… !!!! PMI Registered Education Providers (R.E.P.s) University and college academic and continuing education programs Training companies or consultants Distance learning providers Study groups (i.e. local chapter study groups)

What happens if I fail the Exam? Candidates have a maximum of three attempts to receive a passing score on the PMI-SP examination within the one-year eligibility period. After the third unsuccessful attempt, candidates will have to wait one year before re-applying for the credential and retaking the examination. Candidates must submit a re-examination form before each attempt along with the re-examination fee (please see your handbook for re-examination fees).

What happens after I pass the exam? Pre August 2008 Pilot Exam: Candidates who sit for the examination during the pilot period (30 May – 31 July 2008) will not receive their scores immediately.  PMI will be determining the pass/fail score (cut score) during this pilot period.  As soon as the cut score is determined (within a 60 – 90 day timeframe), pilot participants will be notified immediately. Until that time, communications will be sent to candidates to keep them apprised of where PMI is in the cut score determination process. Post Pilot August 2008: After you pass the exam, you may immediately use the credential after your name (for example, John Doe, PMI-SP). Your name will also appear in the PMI Online Registry.   Credential holders will receive a package of information with a certificate, letter and credential holder card in the mail. Please note: It usually takes about 6-8 weeks to receive your credential package from PMI.

Certification Package Within six to eight weeks, you will receive a credential package that includes: Congratulatory letter Information on how to maintain and/or renew your credential Credential certificate Both of these documents list your: Credential number – a unique identification number used by PMI to maintain your individual certification records Your credential cycle dates You will want to file this information in a safe and easily accessible location. You will need to refer to it in order to maintain your credential.

PMI-SP Credential Maintenance PMI-SP credential holders are required to attain no less than 30 professional development units (PDUs) during each three-year renewal cycle to maintain their credential. Please Note The Following: The 30 PDUs in project scheduling can also be counted towards the maintenance of the PMP(R) or PgMPSM credential(s) If a project scheduling practitioner is taking general project management classes, only the sections that pertain to project scheduling can be applied towards the PMI-SP credential

PMI-SP Credential Maintenance Overview of Process to Maintain an Active Certification Status: 1. Determine certification/CCR cycle 2. Attain no less than 30 PDUs during each certification/CCR cycle 3. Report PDUs on the online Activity Reporting form 4. Complete the online Application for Renewal 5. Reaffirm PMI Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct 6. Reaffirm PMI Certification Application/Renewal Agreement 7. Submit the credential renewal fee – US$60 for PMI members; US$150 for nonmembers 8. Receive new certificate with updated certification/CCR cycle dates

Exam Testimonial.. Overall, I thought the PMI-SP exam was very well thought out and the questions were some of best formulated ones I’ve seen in a test.   It did feel a bit like the PMP exam, but the questions were obviously more focus on the Time Management knowledge area.  I would recommend anyone taking this exam to carefully study the Practice Guide for Scheduling and It’s important to feel comfortable with the terminology of scheduling, so time spent in the “Terms and Definitions” section will likely pay off.  Other topics that appeared frequently in the questions centered around scheduling methods (Critical Chain, etc.), Histograms and performance reporting (Earned Value, in particular).

Questions?